Not World Famous Spaghetti Sauce

CountryLady's Note:

You've tried the rest - now try the best!! I've been making this ground beef/tomato based sauce for years - it freezes well & can be used for lasagna & other pasta dishes. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes. Since I don't measure the spices, I've estimated in order to share the recipe - but feel free to alter according to your own tastes. A little more red wine can't hurt either!!

• Total Time: 4 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb medium ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (28 ounce) can roma tomatoes (Italian)
• 2 (14 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 (5 1/2 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 bay leaves

Directions:

1. Heat oil in large Dutch oven or heavy pot; add onion and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic, ground beef& salt and cook over medium heat, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains.
3. Don't drain off fat as this helps the sauce to"cling" to the pasta.
4. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce& tomato paste; mix well, breaking up tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
5. Use the red wine to rinse the tomato cans& remove any product left behind- then add to the Dutch oven.
6. Add spices& mix well; bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat& simmer for AT LEAST 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
7. If you find that the sauce is getting too thick for your taste, add a little water.
8. Remove bay leaves, ladle over your favourite type of spaghetti& sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[Sharlene~W]

I guess I am used to spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage. I thought it tasted better with elbow macaroni topped with cheddar cheese than with spaghetti noodles. I would try it again with Italian sausage.

[Audrey M]

This was fabulous!! Served it with a side salad and Texas Toast. I cooked mine in the crockpot for 6 hours on low. Thanks for posting!

[RéeLani]

Yummy! Followed this exactly, and the only thing I added was some mushrooms, 'cause I eat them with most everything. I did have to add water a couple of times, and I've now got a really good batch of spaghetti sauce to enjoy. Thanks!